With both City and Arsenal trailing Chelsea and jostling with Liverpool for a spot in the top three, this is a key game for both teams and neither will be planning to go home empty-handed.

Here’s what we know about the match-up:

1. When is the match?

Man City v Arsenal will kick off at 4pm on Sunday, December 18.

Etihad Stadium (Image: Getty)

2. Team news

Man City: After their fiery match with Chelsea a couple of weeks back, which got so out of hand that even Diego Costa was trying to act as peacemaker, Man City haven’t had a great run.

Losing out to struggling champions Leicester was a big blow, although the home win over Watford will have lifted spirits somewhat. City's dominant performance at Etihad on Wednesday showed that they still have it in them to compete for the title. They shouldn't get too carried away, however, as a solitary home win since September is still not a great record.

Heading into this must-win game they’ll be without Ilkay Gundogan, whose collision with Nordin Amrabat could have aggravated the knee injury that delayed his start with City in the first place. City will also still be missing Fernandinho and Aguero – who were red carded for their part in the Chelsea fracas – which leaves Guardiola with a depleted bench and some tough decisions.

Arsenal: Speaking after Arsenal’s unanticipated defeat at Goodison Park, Arsene Wenger described Everton’s first goal as “exactly what we planned not to do.”

Arsene Wenger deep in thought (Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

It’s probably reassuring to fans that the Frenchman isn’t plotting his own side’s downfall – although it’s that time of the season where the Gunners usually start shooting themselves in their collective feet.

At this point they’re still very much in contention for the title – if they can avoid total collapse, that is. Sunday’s visit to Etihad will be a good test of their resolve.

3. Reasons for City fans to be optimistic

The Blues are underperforming and yet still flying high on the table, if they can just pull themselves together a bit who knows what they can achieve?

Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi is still out for this game. He's been key to the Gunners' strong defence, so his absence should definitely give City something to be optimistic about.

A strong showing against Watford - including skipper Zabaleta's first league goal in two years - will be a huge confidence boost.

With Guardiola unable to settle on any one strategy for long there’s plenty of uncertainty in City’s defences that can be exploited.

Bad behaviour against Chelsea mean City will be without Fernandinho and Aguero, while Gundogan's absence leaves a hole in their defensive line.

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City is fouled by Nordin Amrabat of Watford (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

5. Last 5 meetings

Arsenal 3-0 Manchester City (FA Community Shield 2014)

Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City (Premier League 2014)

Manchester City 0-2 Arsenal (Premier League 2015)

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City (Premier League 2015)

Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal (Premier League 2016)

6. Recent form

Man City - Last 5 games

Burnley FC 1 - 2 Man City (Premier League)

Man City 1 - 3 Chelsea (Premier League)

Man City 1 - 1 Celtic (Champions League Group stage)

Leicester City 4 - 2 Man City (Premier League)

Man City 2 - 0 Watford (Premier League)

Arsenal - Last 5 games

West Ham 1 - 5 Arsenal (Premier League)

FC Basel 1 - 4 Arsenal (Champions League Group stage)

Arsenal 3 - 1 Stoke City (Premier League)

Everton 2 - 1 Arsenal (Premier League)

Arsenal 0-2 Southampton (Premier League)

7. Man City’s key man

Pep Guardiola. He’s been chopping and changing his tactics so often lately, even mid-game as we saw with that embarrassing defeat by Leicester, that it’s hard to say who on the pitch could have a bigger impact.

Switching formation mid-game seems to be confusing the players and is letting opponents walk all over them. If he can keep some kind of consistency, City could still be in with a shout. If he keeps on the way he’s going then, eh, not so much.

The Chilean striker’s scoring streak has put him joint top scorer in the Premier League this season. Not bad, especially considering a couple of weeks back we didn’t even know if he’d be fit to play before Christmas.

Pace and power to drag opponents all over the pitch and the strength to hold on to the ball before releasing teammates make him the complete package. The 27-year-old is proving he is the real deal through the middle.